There was little mystery about the top two overall picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. Andrew Luck went No. 1, Robert Griffin III went No. 2, and the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins left the first round happy.

It's been much more difficult to pinpoint the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars' 1-2 combo in the 2013 NFL Draft. As there isn't a can't-miss quarterback prospect in the class, let alone two, the buzz about the best available athletes isn't the same. There are two promising athletes who can please those teams' new general managers, and just as important, their fan bases.

This year's draft, which begins at 8 p.m. ET, remains heavily related to quarterback play. Nimble pass protectors are pitted against explosive edge pass rushers in the battle for top-10 supremacy. That will begin right away with Central Michigan's Eric Fisher and Oregon's Dion Jordan coming off the board 1-2.

Offensive and defensive linemen don't have enough sex appeal, you say? Watching the 6-7, 306-pound Fisher glide on the outside, the Chiefs know they will get a franchise left tackle for new starting quarterback Alex Smith. With the way Jordan flies upfield, it's been easy for the Jaguars to see how he's the ideal end with whom new defensive-minded coach Gus Bradley can revive a dormant sack attack.

There's a fine same-position alternative to Fisher — Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel. But as the players are otherwise equal as talents, Fisher is a little taller and little more athletic, making him the right choice for the Chiefs over Joeckel.

As for Jordan, he doesn't come with the questions that are attached to accomplished pass-rush prospects such as Ezekiel Ansah, Barkevious Mingo and Jarvis Jones.

By this time in the predraft process, you've heard Fisher vs. Joeckel and Jordan vs. the pass-rusher field dissected in every form of scoutspeak. But it's only fair for the pair to get in their last words before the biggest night of their lives.

Big Fish

Fisher grew up as the typical Michigan kid — an outdoors type who lists fishing and ice fishing among his hobbies, living up to his last name. Now Fisher is warming up to the fact he might be the draft's biggest catch.

"My whole life it's been my dream to get drafted into the NFL," Fisher told Sporting News. "I have to say, this dream has gone way farther than I ever imagined. It is kind of sinking in, just the fact I'm coming from a MAC school and a lot of people have me at the top of their boards."

Fisher had never been to New York City before draft week but has had to chance to settle in early, as he's front and center in Tide's "About Your Colors" campaign. Along with other NFL rookies to be, Fisher (@BigFish_79) will connect with his new team's fans via Twitter while sharing pride in his new team's colors.

As Fisher grew up just outside of Detroit, and with that team needing a tackle, Lions fans are hoping Fisher will somehow hang around until No. 5 overall.

"I've never really favored a team, but a lot of people in the Detroit area would love to see me in Honolulu Blue," Fisher said. "It would be cool, but I just want to play for any team."

Whether he ends up lifting up his hometown jersey, there should already be plenty of local pride in Fisher. He studied engineering at Central Michigan, inspired by his hard-working family that has manual labor in its blood, from firefighters to machinists. His grandfather worked for Ford for some 40 years. With that background, he's grounded in what he plans to do with his first NFL paycheck.

"I'll probably do what a lot of blue-collar people do with it and put in the bank," Fisher said.

If Fisher ends up with the Chiefs, it will be business as usual for Smith regarding his blindside protector. In San Francisco, Smith was well protected by two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley, who won't last much longer as Central Michigan's sole NFL first-rounder.

Staley reconnected with Fisher in October to help him with several things that go into the long pre-draft process — finding an agent, getting a financial adviser and preparing for the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine.

"It was just great to have such a great tackle to talk to in the league, one that you can relate to," Fisher said. "He's been there and done that what you're going through."

Once Fisher is in the NFL, he doesn't plan to change the things that got him there. "I got to this point in my life by being the person I am," Fisher said. "I just try to keep a level head and will keep on doing what I've been doing for the past 23 years of my life."

The one thing Fisher doesn't know is what it will be like to hear his name announced by commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I can't describe how I'll be feeling," he said. "You've worked for something for the past 10, 12 years, so when it finally happens it's going to be unreal."

Praying Mantis

Think of something green that quickly pursues its prey and you'll know why Jordan had this college nickname playing for the most verdant Ducks. So can Jordan maintain his primal attack mode against different, bigger, quicker animals in the NFL — such as Fisher — and deliver for a 4-3 team as pass rush-needy as the Jaguars? Just ask him.

"I'm very confident in my ability to get after the quarterback," Jordan told Sporting News. "I only did it for a few years at the university, but I still feel like it's a credit to my athletic ability and my speed. As long as I continue to work and improve my game, when I get to the next level I'll be able to excel."

Early in the pre-draft process, teams didn't know where to slot Jordan. He was looked like a middle-to-late first-rounder with a bullet, but after lighting it up at the Combine, he shot up into the top-five stratosphere. Jordan's rise to a potential top-two pick has taken him only "a little bit" by surprise.

"Honestly, this speaks to everything that I've done up to this point," Jordan said. "It shows that a lot of people have acknowledged my work. I don't pay attention to all the things that they say. I'm just excited about the process that's going on right now."

If Jordan doesn't end up in Jacksonville, the next red-hot spot for him is Philadelphia at No. 4. If you hadn't heard this offseason, the Eagles are now coached by Chip Kelly, Jordan's former head coach with the Ducks. Practicing against Kelly's high-tempo offense, Jordan says, only made him better.

"It prepared us for just about anything that we'll face because of the tempo," Jordan said. "Everyone on defense had to know what was going on because you have to be able to react fast and think fast."

Even though reuniting with Kelly would mean being drafted No. 4 instead of No. 2, the thought of landing with the Eagles has crossed his mind.

"I know coach, I know what he expects of his players — the standard that he holds guys to — so it would be a great opportunity," Jordan said. "But it's not up to me what happens."

Some think Jordan is a classic outside linebacker for a 3-4 — the Eagles' new scheme under Kelly — but at 6-6, 248 pounds, he has the versatility and build to thrive more in the Jaguars' remixed four-man front. Consider that Bradley developed Bruce Irvin into an explosive first-rounder in Seattle last season. He shouldn't pass on the more talented Jordan.

Oakland could use offensive line help, too, so the tackle who doesn't go to the Chiefs makes sense for them. They need a quarterback, but Smith isn't the right guy to bring into their mess. Floyd is just right, however, as the strong 4-3 tackle they desperately need after blowing up their front four in the offseason.

Ansah has the same appeal as Jordan—an explosive edge pass rusher who can get their new 3-4 off to a flying start. They cleaned house at corner, but this spot is a little high to take Milliner considering all their other needs. So Chip Kelly gets his quarterback.

The Lions could use some help at corner, but they're in position to land a pass rusher or pass protector, the strengths of the early draft. They're hoping Fisher doesn't leave the state, but should have no issues "falling back" on Joeckel.

Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib are among the post-Smith options, but the Cardinals don't need to force a QB here after the Carson Palmer trade. If they stay put, they need Johnson, the third top left tackle in his class, to shore up their miserable line.

The Jets love Mingo, but they also hold the No. 13 pick, too, after the Darrelle Revis trade. If they wait until then, they will be able to get Mingo or a cornerback to replace Revis. Quarterback is a consideration, but if Smith isn't available, it's doubtful they'll go back down the ex-USC path with Barkley. Here's a chance to get Mark Sanchez a much-needed big playmaker with fresh legs and bring some life to their offense.

OK, we're sold on Tennessee taking the top guard in the draft, and both Cooper and Warmack are special run blockers. Warmack gets the slight nod. Even with the versatile Mingo able to help their base 4-3, he's more boom or bust while Warmack is a sure thing that addresses an interior line need.